Displaying posts published in

May 2025

FOREIGN POLICY Comments turned off

When Doubts Take Wing Peter Smith

By on May 25th, 2025

https://quadrant.org.au/news-opinions/america/when-doubts-take-wing/

EXCERPT

I am an unabashed supporter of Trumpian policies. However, as a conservative, my allegiance is to the truth so far as I can find it. I have had no problem squaring the two until Trump’s Middle Eastern soiree.

Here is a non-exhaustive list of Trumpian policies, which are truly embraceable by those like me with a conservative mindset.

♦ Immigration: namely, closing the southern border, deporting criminal illegal immigrants, opposing birthright citizenship.

♦ Economic: namely, cutting wasteful government expenditure, lowering taxes, reducing regulations, imposing selective tariffs.

♦ Social: namely, ridding America of DEI and transgender activism (or trying to), defunding universities which promote or tolerate anti-Semitic thuggery, preventing social media platforms from censoring free speech.

♦ Foreign: namely, supporting Israel to the hilt, trying to end the slaughter in Ukraine, encouraging NATO members to stump up more for their own defense.

Now, suddenly, unwelcomely, I have my first significant qualms. This is not just to prove Bolt wrong, which he most definitely is, but as a reminder that human failings miss no one, not even Trump in his pomp.

First the plane from Qatar. It is quite silly beyond belief to think that this can take the place of Air Force One or Two and then form part of Trump’s presidential library when his term ends. The timing doesn’t work for a start. Boeing hasn’t delivered on a new plane precisely because of the complications of making a passenger plane into a presidential plane with all its additional features. As for the library part, the mind boggles. Maybe the plane could be converted into a troop carrier. Does the US need a troop carrier from Qatar?

Continue reading →
WORLD NEWS Comments turned off

Ukraine’s Stolen Generation Roger Beam

By on May 25th, 2025

https://quadrant.org.au/news-opinions/ukraine/ukraines-stolen-generation/

Myroslava Kharchenko is at the heart of the operation to repatriate thousands of Ukrainian children who have been deported, displaced, or just plain kidnapped in the occupied territories held by Russian forces since February 2022. She is the Head of the Legal Department for Save Ukraine, the independent NGO, that works with mothers and families to get their children back. She and her colleagues have had to resort to creating false documents and inventing cover stories or ‘legends’ for the mothers and close relatives who go into Russia to reclaim their children.

With the help of resisters in the Russian occupied territories in the east and south of Ukraine, and in the Crimea, Save Ukraine identifies the whereabouts of displaced children in so called ‘summer’ or ‘health’ camps, and rehabilitation institutions. They find their close relatives in Ukraine and begin to organise the children’s repatriation. Bereft parents get in touch with Save Ukraine for help, and sometimes the children themselves hear about the organisation and call a hotline.

Since the Russian invasion in February 2022, 19,500 children have been identified as having been deported or displaced by the Russians from their homes in the occupied territories. Those are just the ones Save Ukraine knows about — they have a name, a birth certificate, ID documents. It’s estimated there could be tens of thousands more since Russia took Crimea and part of the eastern Donbas region in 2014. Save Ukraine has managed to rescue and repatriate 1,236 children; 640 since February 2022.

Ms Kharchenko, who is also one of Save Ukraine’s Directors, said through an interpreter: “We discuss every case individually and in detail. Sometimes we have to use methods we can’t discuss in public to get the children out.

“We carefully brief the mother or close relative on what to say at every stage when they go to get their child. They are given a story, or ‘legend’, which they have to stick to when questioned by frontier guards at the borders and the airports, at checkpoints, or by the officials at the camps and institutions where the children are living.”

Save Ukraine is constantly identifying the easiest or less dangerous places to enter and leave Russia. Sometimes, at great personal risk, their own staff may accompany a group of mothers and relatives. Sympathetic drivers and organisers on the other side help. During each mission, staff at Save Ukraine maintain a 24/7 contact with the relatives, advising and holding their hands at a distance.

Since the borders between Ukraine and Russia are closed, the rescues are planned via round-about routes from Germany, the Baltic States, and other EU countries. The relatives will often fly into Russia — Moscow, for example — and then make their way by bus and car south to the occupied territories.

Continue reading →
RELIGION Comments turned off

Will the faithful inherit the Earth? The election of Pope Leo arrives at a time of rapid Christian revival. Joel Kotkin

By on May 25th, 2025

https://www.spiked-online.com/2025/05/24/will-the-faithful-inherit-the-earth/

The elevation of the new pope from Chicago may have excited progressive ideologues with hopes for another wokeish papacy. But the rise of little-known Robert Prevost to his new status as Pope Leo XIV comes amid a profoundly unwoke recovery of religious feeling in the West. After generations of decline, Christianity is making a comeback.

To be sure, this revival is still tentative and faces enormous headwinds. The decline of religion remains a fundamental reality in most Western countries, particularly in Europe, where well over 50 per cent of people under the age of 30 do not identify with any religion. In the US, the trajectory has been similar, albeit at a slower pace. In 1965, 70 per cent of respondents to a Gallup poll said religion is ‘very important’ in their lives. Today, fewer than half of Americans – 45 per cent – say religion is ‘very important’.

This decline has led some religious conservatives, like Ross Douthat of the New York Times, to predict a coming ‘age of extinction’ – a world bereft of churches, community and families. Others, like Christian intellectual Rod Dreher, suggest that religious people, like the early Christians, should create their own separate communities – what he calls ‘the Benedict option’ – to cope with an increasingly post-religious world.

Yet the pessimists may be overstating their case. In America, at least, there is evidence of a lingering spiritual hunger: more than half of ‘religiously unaffiliated’ Americans, for example, still believe in God or some kind of universal spirit. Meanwhile, one recent survey shows that young people are increasingly embracing religion, with millennials among the biggest drivers of Christianity’s revival in the US.

There is even evidence of renewal in decidedly secular Europe. France’s Catholic Church claims to have baptised 45 per cent more people this Easter than it did last year. According to the Bible Society, the UK is undergoing a similar conversion. It reports that the number of 18- to 24-year-olds who attend church at least monthly has quadrupled, from four per cent in 2018 to 16 per cent today. The Bible Society said there are two million more people attending church now than there were six years ago.

Continue reading →
ISRAEL Comments turned off

POSITIVE NEWS FROM ISRAEL FROM MICHAEL ORDMAN *******

By on May 25th, 2025

www.verygoodnewsisrael.blogspot.com

There are more new Israeli medical discoveries and treatments; the secrets of the DNA exposed in the human microbiome; an Israeli medical innovation outpost opened in Boston. US care staff explained how to support children suffering from cancer; and a German TV network shown how an Israeli hospital treats trauma patients. Plus the truth about Israel’s inclusive society, as told by two Israeli Arabs and a visiting Bahraini Moslem woman.

Read how Israeli technology is showcased in the US and European militaries, US healthcare and Japanese telecoms providers, and in the financial centers and institutions of London, Germany and Singapore.  Europeans were stunned when Israel’s Yuval Raphael showcased her transformation from Nova festival survivor to Eurovision singing sensation. And US motor racing enthusiasts gasped as an Israeli rookie rocketed to pole position at the start of the Indy 500. Michael Ordman

 

POSITIVE NEWS IN A WAR
 
Saving lives on the battlefield. A tragic fact of war is the number of casualties. But even here, Israel is setting global standards. We already know about the record low ratio of civilian to combatant ratios. But the IDF Medical Corps is also achieving the world’s fastest casualty evacuation times, saving hundreds of lives.
https://www.jns.org/idf-sets-global-standard-in-combat-casualty-evacuations/
 
Israeli hospitals innovate to rehabilitate. (TY Hazel) One of Israel’s major achievements post 7 Oct 2023 has been how Israeli hospitals have developed protocols for treating the 139 returning hostages from Gaza. They had to cater for children who had suffered abuse and adults suffering severe psychological and physical injuries.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/facing-a-hostage-situation-without-precedent-israeli-hospitals-innovate-to-rehabilitate/
 
Movie about female tank brigade heroines. (TY Yanky) On 7 Oct 2023, Israel’s first all-female tank unit (see here previously) pitted their three armored vehicles against hundreds of Hamas terrorists in a battle lasting over 17 hours. The story of these fearless female soldiers is now to be featured in a new movie, entitled “Tankistas”.
https://deadline.com/2025/05/swell-ariel-or-october-7-film-tank-unit-tankistas-1236388126/
 
Honoring Oct 7 victims at the highest level. Minyan Everest, a group of Jewish climbers, pray and unfurl a banner of 7th Oct 2023 victims’ names at the top of the highest mountains. On one climb their sherpa guides told them that Hamas had murdered 10 of their fellow Nepalese in the attack. Their names were on the banner.
https://www.jns.org/french-jewish-mountaineers-bring-solidarity-to-new-heights/
 
One in five combat soldiers is a woman. The IDF has reported that women now account for 20% of troops serving in both active and reserve combat units. It highlighted efforts to integrate women into additional roles and units.  https://www.ynetnews.com/article/ryk15009xeg
 
Wounded Fauda star performs at airport. Israeli singer-songwriter and Fauda actor Idan Amedi was filmed giving an impromptu performance at Miami airport. He was about to fly to New York on his first US tour since being wounded in battle in Gaza. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/408305
 
New El Al plane named “Acheinu”. El Al’s 17th Boeing 787 “Dreamliner” has not been named after an Israeli city, rather “Acheinu Kol Beit Yisrael”, meaning “Our brothers, the entire House of Israel.” It is from the morning prayer, asking G-d to protect and have mercy on Jews in captivity and bring them home in peace.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/408633
 
German TV features Herzog hospital Jerusalem. (TY Yanky) The German news network RTL featured how Herzog Medical Center in Jerusalem  has helped Israelis cope with trauma during the war. The RTL Foundation also made a significant donation to the hospital. Turn on captions and auto-translate into English.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VsqOXgttsVY
 
Israeli Arabs reject Hamas. After Oct 7, Israel’s 2-million-strong Arab minority didn’t riot, wave Hamas flags or cheer. Arab medics treated the wounded. Arab mayors calmed tensions. Arabs donated blood, delivered aid and helped evacuate families. Arab enlistment in the IDF grew. Israeli Arabs stood with Israel.
https://nypost.com/2025/05/15/opinion/arab-israelis-stand-with-their-country-reject-hamas-hate/

Continue reading →
FOREIGN POLICY Comments turned off

The Consequences of Trump Walking Away from the Russia-Ukraine Conflict by Con Coughlin

By on May 25th, 2025

https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/21647/trump-russia-ukraine-conflict

Far from helping to end the war in Ukraine, all the indications suggest that US President Donald Trump’s mediation efforts are not only prolonging the conflict, but increasing the likelihood that Russia will ultimately emerge victorious.

Indeed, far from showing any interest in ending Russia’s military offensive in Ukraine, the Russian leader has given every intention that he intends to continue fighting until victory has been achieved.

Nor does there appear to be any serious prospect that Trump will be willing to hit the Kremlin with further sanctions, let alone military encouragement, if it fails to show any serious interest in peace negotiations.

The problem with Trump’s hands-off approach to the Ukraine conflict is that it could ultimately prove counterproductive for the US and its allies, as the more Washington indicates it is losing interest in the conflict, the more encouraged Moscow becomes that it will ultimately achieve victory.

This outcome would be a disaster for the entire Nato alliance — including the US, which would see its extensive trade ties with Europe threatened by Russian aggression.

In addition, Trump walking away from the conflict would be seen worldwide as a green light to other US adversaries, such as Iran and China, that it is open season, as the US is not serious about defending any allied territory.

As someone who shows a keen interest in expanding America’s trade ties, Trump of all people should understand the disastrous implications another Putin-inspired war would have for the US economy.

Far from helping to end the war in Ukraine, all the indications suggest that US President Donald Trump’s mediation efforts are not only prolonging the conflict, but increasing the likelihood that Russia will ultimately emerge victorious.

Trump’s pledge to end the conflict within 24 hours of taking office now seems but a distant memory.

Continue reading →
NATIONAL SECURITY AND DEFENSE Comments turned off

The Centenary of Buckley and the Crisis of Free Speech William F. Buckley Jr.’s centenary arrives as free speech falters and truth-telling grows perilous—a reminder that every generation must fight anew for civilization’s soul. By Roger Kimball

By on May 25th, 2025

https://amgreatness.com/2025/05/25/334453/

William F. Buckley, Jr., who died in February 2008, would have been 100 years old in November of this year. There are many tributes planned to celebrate his centenary. The huge, authorized biography by Sam Tanenhaus will be out in just a few weeks. I will not say anything about that book apart from noting that its subtitle—“The Life and the Revolution That Changed America”— is apt.

For five or six years at the end of his life, I would generally see Bill at least weekly. We sailed and dined, emailed, and spoke on the phone very often. I find it hard to believe that seventeen years have passed since he died. In some ways, it seems like yesterday.

It is interesting to ask what Bill would make of the contemporary cultural and political scene. He had witnessed similar follies throughout the 1960s and 1970s. And after all, the Sage of Ecclesiastes was right: there is nothing new under the sun, though many of our most prominent cultural figures seem to believe that they occupy a unique perch at the very apogee of virtue and moral rectitude and are therefore entitled, O how entitled, to discard the achievements and admonitions of the past as so many false starts and dead ends on the way to true enlightenment, which is to say, to whatever they happen to believe at the moment.

It is important to remember how general the assault on our civilization was in the 1960s. It wasn’t just protests against the Vietnam War, the sexual revolution, or the new hedonism. What was aimed at was nothing less than what Nietzsche called the “transvaluation of all values.”

Continue reading →